Railroad-crossing signal



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W. B. KUHN RAILROAD CROSSING SIGNAL Filed Aufl. 22. 1922 @.l. u @.2

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UNET@ STATES LLI B. KUHN, F SHY, U0.

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Application led August 22, 1922. Serial No. 583,527.

To all whom t may concern.v

Be it known that WILLIAM B. KUHN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Shelby, in the county of Richland and State of Ohio, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad-Crossing Signals, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to an improvement in railroad crossing signals, wherein means are provided to automatically indicate that a train is approaching a crossing, the indication being through a signal simultaneously visible from both crossing directions.

The construction includes a particular type of signal means involving simultaneousl energized signal lamps, arranged to provi e oppositely directed signals, with; the parts of the signal means of extreme simplicity and low cost, whereby possible failure of the signal proper is reduced to a minimum, and repair or renewal ot parts is practically negligible.

Figure 1 is a plan view of thesignal proper;

Figures 2 and 3 are details-of the locking means for the cover plate of the signal housing;

Figure 4 nal; and

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view through the signal.

rlhe crossing signal of this invention is designed primarily to protect the users of vehicular roads at railroad crossings, by causing a train approaching the crossing from either direction to energize a signal light arranged to be visible from both directions on the road.

The signal proper comprises a drum-like housing 26 within which are arranged is a front elevation of the sigspaced transverse partitions 27. A refiector' 28 is secured within the housing in the space beyond each partition, a conventional socket piece 29 being secured in each partition and extending through the reflector to provide for the removable reception of an electric bulb 30. The drum is provided with a tubular extension 31 adapted to engage a cylindrical support 32, the signal energi ing conductors 11 and 13 leading through this support and extension 31, extending between the partitions with the usual connections to the socket pieces 29.

The otherwise open ends of the drum housing ,are provided with covers including annular members 33 of right-an le shape withln which is secured a s eet o? glass or the like 34:. The glass face plates 34 are preferably lettered to indicate the nature of the signal, heavy red glass free from glare letters varying in color, as indicated 1n Figure 4f, this lettering being of course prominently visible when the lamps are energized. The glass is preferably red in color havin no glare, and the letters are of varied co or.

The signal is set at the crossing so as to provide a face plate facing in each direction of the road crossing. 0n the energization of the signal lamps, which occurs simultaneously, thel signal is visible from both directions at the crossing, and thus the driver of an approaching vehicle is warned that a train is approaching the crossin and may safe-guard himself according y.

The signal proper provides a simple construction for the simultaneous display of oppositely directed signals, thereby protesting the crossing from approach in either direction, without regard to the direction ot travel of the train.

The annular members 33 are removably secured in place on the drum by means indicated more particularly in Figures 2 and 3. Each of these annular members is prof vided with a series of more or less rigid extensions adapted when the members are in position to overlie the surface of the drum, these extensions having up-turned ends 35. Arranged on the drum at appropriate intervals are spring strips 36 having rounded terminals 37 and intermediate offset portions 38. rllhese spring retaining members or strips 36 open, that is have their free ends in the same direction circumferentially of the drum, so that the covers may be applied by arranging the extensions 34 beyond the open-ends of the strips 36, and then turning the covers to force the extensions beneath the strips and to the offset portions 38. The covers are thus securely held, though in a conveniently removable manner.

The invention is particularly directed to the construction of the signal proper, though contemplating in connection therewith the provision of track-controlled switch circuits.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is.:

1. A railroad road crossing signal com prisin a drum casing, transverse spaced partitions therein, a reflector arranged within the drum beyond each partition,

5 lamp sockets carried by the partitions and projecting through the reectors, and a removable transparent cover for each end of the drum.

2. A railroad road crossing signal com- 10 prisin a drum casin transverse spaced partitions therein, a re ector arranged Within the drum beyond each partition, lamp sockets carried by the partitions and projecting through the reflectors, a removable transparent cover for each end of the drum, a tubular extension carried by the drum to telescopically engage a support, and conductors leading to the sockets extending throu h said extension and between said partitlons.

In testimony whereof I affix my si ature.

WILLIAM B. K HN.' 

